23 Sep 2022

The date of this event is tbc

The swim has been organised annually since 2006 when John Burleigh and 8 others decided to take the plunge and swim the 1.7 mile channel from Cumbrae to Largs.

Since then it has become more and more popular with a record number participating last year raising over £12000 for the Gillian's Saltire Appeal. Over 100 swimmers now take part in the annual event.

The distance is roughly 100-110 lengths in a 25 metre pool and the swim attracts swimmers of all ages (youngest was Rebecca Weir who was just 11 at last years swim and the oldest...well 60+) and a variety of abilities with the fastest swimmers finishing in an incredible 31 minutes!

This year the swimmers will register at the sailing club at 11am with the plan for the swim to begin from Cumbrae Watersports Centre at 1pm.  All swimmers should then be out the water for 3pm, as we give a maximum of 2 hours for the swimmers to complete the swim.

The Gillian's Saltire Appeal was set up in memory of Largs Mum, Gillian Ward who died of cancer in 2005. 

Find out more about the Gillian's Saltire Appeal

Gillian was remarkable only for the fact that she loved life and made those around her happy.
The charity was set up to honour her memory and at the same time make a real difference to the lives of others who suffer from the same illness. Gillian's husband, Les and a group of his friends had a meeting and decided to organise a campaign to raise money to provide practical and meaningful help for people who suffer from cancer. 

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